Consultant-Divisional Coordinator

Adolescence is a phase from 10 to 19 years of age and a transition from childhood to adulthood, marked by cognitive, physical, and psychosocial growth and development. After infancy, adolescence is the most rapid period of growth with the highest nutritional needs, providing a second window of opportunity for supporting critical growth and development. With access to adequate information and healthy food systems, adolescence can be a phase for forming healthy lifestyle practices. Until recently, the health and nutrition of adolescents has not been prioritized in global and national investment, and policy and programming in low- and middle-income countries.

Addressing Anemia in Karnataka: Challenges and Opportunities

Karnataka is a rapidly urbanizing southern state of India with a population of 68 million people out of which 19% are adolescents[1]. Despite advances in health and education, challenges persist in the nutrition status of women and adolescents. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–20) highlights nutritional and health challenges in Karnataka. As per the survey 47.8% of women aged 15-49 years are anaemic, slightly lower than the national average of 53%. Among adolescent girls aged 15-19, 49.4 % are anaemic. Additionally, 84% of women use sanitary products indicating considerable progress in menstrual hygiene management. However, challenges remain in women empowerment, as 47% of the women aged 5-49 have experienced violence.

Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS) is one of the proven interventions to address anaemia. India has operationalized WIFAS at a national scale for in-school adolescent girls & boys and out-of-school girls under the Anemia Mukt Bharat Initiative which builds upon the earlier National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) and Karnataka has implemented its key initiatives. The health management information system (HMIS) data of 2023-24 shows that 26% of adolescents (10-19 years) were distributed WIFAS and by December 2024 it has increased to only 37%[2], highlighting gap in coverage and program implementation and this presents unique opportunities for addressing anemia in the state, especially among adolescents. Addressing these challenges requires a strategic, evidence-based approach to strengthen adolescent nutrition program and ensure sustainable impact.

Project Overview

This project aims to strengthen the implementation of adolescent health & nutrition interventions—focusing improving coverage and consumption of WIFAS and to promote nutrition and health education among both in-school girls and boys and out-of-school adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years. Nutrition International, in collaboration with HLFPPT and government stakeholders, will support program planning, capacity building, supply chain management, and advocacy to enhance adolescent nutrition outcomes. The goal is to scale up proven strategies, ensure system readiness, and increase uptake of essential nutrition services for adolescent girls.

Job Summary

Based at the assigned districts, the Divisional Coordinator (DC) will work under the guidance of the State Coordinator. S/he will be the focal point at the district level and coordinate the activities in line with the program implementation plan and ensure that all targets are achieved. S/he will actively engage with the project stakeholders including officials in the Health Department, Department of Women and Child Development as well as Nutrition International and solicit their support in implementing identified project activities.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate implementation of Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS) through schools, AWCs, and outreach platforms such as AHWDs, ensuring consistent coverage of in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls.
• Engage with Education, ICDS, and Health departments to strengthen delivery and monitoring of adolescent health services, especially iron supplementation, anemia testing, and counselling.
• Support targeted interventions to reach underserved groups including adolescents in private schools, vocational institutes, and out-of-school girls.
• Promote community and parental engagement through BCI tools to improve supplement adherence and health-seeking behavior among adolescent girls.
• Conduct joint field visits to schools and AWCs with block/district officials to monitor quality and consistency of adolescent nutrition service delivery.
• Participate in review meetings conducted by District and Taluk Level officials of Health, ICDS and Education when agenda has components of AHN.
• Validate data related to adolescent anemia testing, supplementation, and counselling in HMIS and ICDS-CAS, and ensure timely corrective actions for reporting gaps.
• Support district health, ICDS, and Education departments in program planning, budgeting, monitoring, and implementation.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Introduce the project to district/block-level stakeholders jointly with the State Coordinator and ensure regular updates to build administrative ownership.
• Support rapid landscape assessments to identify service delivery gaps and context-specific challenges related to AHN component.
• Facilitate district-level orientation workshops and planning meetings to build buy-in and initiate implementation of interventions.
• Coordinate convergence across departments (Health, ICDS, Education) through regular participation in district/block meetings and advocacy for resource allocation.
• Monitor monthly stock availability of IFA, calcium, digital Hb meters, and other commodities, support accurate forecasting, timely indenting, and buffer stock maintenance.
• Conduct supportive supervision and field monitoring across platforms (schools, AWCs, health facilities) and share findings to guide timely corrective actions.
• Compile and submit monthly progress reports capturing quantitative and qualitative insights, support review meetings with performance data and recommendations.
• Ensure program monitoring, and compliance of identified gaps and their solutions.
• Enhance Data quality for HMIS, School & ICDS reporting to track progress effectively.
• Promote use of NI developed BCI products and activities at various community-based events and platforms.
• Document implementation experiences, success stories, and promising practices to contribute to cross-district learning and donor reporting.
• Undertake any other responsibilities assigned by the State Coordinator, senior project leadership at HLFPPT and Nutrition International.
• Divisional Coordinators are expected to be in the Designated District Head Quarter and to travel to their assigned Districts as per the approved Travel Plan for 17 days in a month.
• Field Visits should cover PHCs, Schools, AWCs, meetings with Mos, THOs, BHEOs, CDPOs, ICDS Supervisors, BEOs, FLWs and Capacity Building Trainings.

Graduate in Nutrition/Social Science/Social Work, Public Health, or any related field.

Minimum 3-4 years of experience working with the ICDS, health department, or NGOs working in health and nutrition. 

1-Sound Communication skills in Kannada with good understanding of MS Office and functional writing skills in English. Knowledge of English and Hindi is desirable for coordination with Nutrition International.

2-Knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation tools & techniques.

3-Understanding of the functioning of ICDS, Health, SHGs, Youth club and field level functionaries (ASHA, AWW, ANM).

4-Understanding of health and nutrition situation and challenges of the region.

5-Experience working in teams and with diverse stakeholders.